ONE couldn’t agree more with Zafar Raja’s letter, “Hillary’s visit vital to region” (Nov 1).

One, the root cause of insurgency is not religion but poverty. In addition, one would equally emphasise the non-resolution of political problems like Palestine and Kashmir.

As long as the West doesn’t honestly and fairly address such issues, the mere symptomatic treatment of militancy will never finish it.

Two, that ‘the US will have no better friend than the Pakistani people if they (the Americans) can deliver on the ground.’

Past history shows that Pakistan has done more for the US than even some of its ‘natural’ white allies, who, for instance, never had to face the frightful threat of Russian nuclear missiles being pointed at them, as after the U2 saga of 1962, whereby it was shot down over the communist nation.

Now, thousands have died in helping fight the US-initiated war on terror.

Three, ‘giving paltry amount of aid does nothing for the people, it merely keeps inefficient governments in office.” Washington must ensure the aid reaches the ordinary folks, while also keeping the sensitivities of the nation in mind.

And, fourth, the Americans must not shut there eyes towards the questionable role India is playing in Afghanistan, using that country to interfere in Pakistan’s affairs, by means of the Baloch insurgents and some Taliban groups.

If the US is prepared to heed these heartfelt words of the worried Pakistanis, it will win the hearts and minds and ensure greater security for its own citizens, besides promoting regional and global peace. Another good gesture would be to release Dr Aafia Siddiqi and other Pakistanis being held in the US on dubious charges, with little or no evidence.

MARIA KHAN

Karachi
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